Thirty-Sixth Chapter

Pricked lightly by her eyelashes, Li Chenjing narrowed one eye, and an instinctive, muffled groan escaped his chest. "That hurts. Little Eight, you poked me."

Her slightly parted lips breathed out a warm stream. The night was deep and dark, and the glow from the lanterns lining the street fell entirely upon his thin, pink lips. He moved closer with startling speed. By the time she realized what was happening, that scorching gaze had already burned her eyes. Almost instinctively, she waved her hand and broke free of his embrace, turning her gaze away in panic.

"S-sorry, Young Master..."

"..." Staring at the hand she had pulled away from, Li Chenjing fell silent for a long while. Expressionless, he slowly raised the hand hidden within his Wide Sleeves, extended one finger, and lifted her chin. He turned her toward him, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Where are you looking now, Little Eight?"

"..."

"I forbid it." His thumb pressed against her dry lips, which trembled nonstop, and rubbed them with deliberate intent. "I forbid you from looking at other men with such a serious expression. Even the emperor is not allowed."

"Come here." His overbearing, almost childish words echoed in her ears like a spell. "That troublesome fellow is gone. Now, give me the payment you promised."

Young Master really had not forgotten about that. "...W-wasn't that just now enough? You already t-touched me."

Mustering her courage to bargain, she clutched her Confucian Robe, so nervous that a thin sheen of sweat covered her entire body.

"I'm still not satisfied." His voice dropped lower.

"S-satisfied?" How long would she have to feed Young Master before he was satisfied? "Young Master, we're both men. Doing this kind of thing in the street is really too... Mmph—"

He pulled her back